Over 100 Passengers Rescued in 2 Hours... One Child Injured
119 rescue workers are rescuing passengers at the site of the Bearstown Pocheon lift backward running accident. [Gyeonggi-do Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters]
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] All passengers who were stranded due to a lift runaway accident at Bearstown Ski Resort located in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi Province, were rescued about two hours after the accident occurred.
According to the fire authorities on the 22nd, among about 100 passengers, 39 came down on their own around 5:30 PM, and 61 escaped by climbing down ropes installed by the rescue teams dispatched from five units.
One 7-year-old girl who suffered bruises was taken to the hospital, and it was confirmed that most passengers sustained minor injuries from jumping off the lift without any serious injuries.
Some passengers had to endure the cold and fear in midair for more than two hours until they were rescued.
The accident occurred around 3 PM on an advanced slope with a steep incline, when the lift carrying skiers suddenly stopped and then ran backward at high speed.
Passengers on the following lift jumped down to avoid collision, and collisions also occurred between lifts at the boarding station. The runaway lift stopped after about one minute.
Immediately after the accident, 119 rescue teams from Uijeongbu, Namyangju, and Pocheon areas were dispatched and began rescue operations.
The police and fire authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident, including whether it was due to mechanical malfunction or operator error, and plan to impose criminal penalties if negligence is found.
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